coming across

USAGE SUMMARY

"coming across" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is typically used to describe the process of finding or encountering something unexpectedly. For example, "I came across an article about hedgehogs while scrolling through my Facebook feed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He's not coming across well".

The Guardian

Instead of smug/perfect, what's coming across is smug/hopelessness.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I keep coming across an interesting problem.

The New York Times

My capabilities just weren't coming across.

The New York Times

For the kids, coming across the corpses.

The New Yorker

It's the excitement of coming across influences.

The New York Times

This wasn't a guy coming across town.

The New York Times - Sports

He knew how he was coming across".

The New York Times

Riders will be coming across it soon.

The Guardian - Sport

"We're coming across it more and more.

The Guardian - Tech

We do not want them coming across.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "coming across" to describe unintentional discoveries or encounters. For example, "While researching, I came across several interesting articles."

Common error

Avoid using "coming across" when a more formal term like "encountering" or "discovering" would be more appropriate, especially in academic or professional writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "coming across" primarily functions as a verb phrase indicating an accidental encounter or discovery. Ludwig provides numerous examples where it's used to describe unexpectedly finding something or giving a particular impression. This aligns with its grammatical role as a present participle in continuous tenses.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Formal & Business

15%

Academia

9%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Science

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "coming across" is a versatile verb phrase primarily used to describe accidental encounters or the impression someone gives. Ludwig AI affirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage, particularly in news and media. When using "coming across", ensure it aligns with the intended meaning of unintentional discovery or perceived image. While generally neutral, consider using more formal alternatives in academic or professional contexts. Remember to avoid misusing it when a deliberate action or planned meeting is being described.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

encountering unexpectedly

Emphasizes the unexpected nature of the encounter.

running into

Suggests a casual or unplanned meeting.

finding unexpectedly

Focuses on the act of finding something without prior intent.

stumbling upon

Implies a more accidental discovery.

happening upon

Similar to stumbling upon, but slightly more formal.

giving the impression

Refers to how someone or something appears to others.

appearing as

Focuses on the perceived image or quality.

presenting oneself as

Highlights a deliberate effort to convey a certain image.

seeming to be

Suggests a surface-level assessment of appearance.

projecting the image of

Emphasizes a conscious attempt to create a specific perception.

FAQs

How to use "coming across" in a sentence?

You can use "coming across" to describe finding something unexpectedly, as in "I was cleaning and "came across" some old photos" or to describe how someone is perceived, as in "He's "coming across as" confident".

What can I say instead of "coming across"?

You can use alternatives like "encountering unexpectedly", "running into", or "stumbling upon" when referring to finding something. For describing perception, try "giving the impression".

Which is correct, "coming across" or "come across"?

"Coming across" is the present participle form, used in continuous tenses (e.g., "I am coming across"). "Come across" is the base form or simple past (e.g., "I come across", "I came across"). The choice depends on the tense and context.

What's the difference between "coming across" and "meeting"?

"Meeting" usually implies an intentional encounter. "Coming across" suggests an accidental or unexpected encounter. For example, you meet a colleague for lunch, but you "come across" an old friend at the grocery store.